Hospice Care Research Paper

What is Hospice? Only a family member, patient, staff member, or someone directly associated would be able to fully understand the heart of hospice and palliative care. The terms hospice care and palliative care are often used interchangeably; however, the terms do not actually translate to the same meaning. The term palliative care comes from the root word, palliātus, meaning “cloaked or covered” (Merriam Webster, n.d.). In layman’s terms, hospice (from the root word hospitality) originates from medieval times and refers to a place of shelter and rest for the ill travelers on a long journey (“The Hospice Concept”, n.d.). It seems only suitable that hospice care would be a shelter or comfortable refuge for the ill to end their long journey …show more content…
DADS is “under the leadership of a commissioner who is appointed by the executive commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the approval of the governor” (About the Agency, n.d.). At each Hospice location, there is a great team of staff consisting of a physician, a medical director, nurses, social workers, chaplains, grief counselors, home health aides, and volunteers that provide the best care possible. It is also important to know that hospice services are available wherever the patient wishes: at their own home, nursing home, hospital, or at a local Hospice facility. The goal is …show more content…
It very hard for a family member to make the decision to move a loved one to hospice. For some, it may seem as a call to end a life. Hospice focuses on caring, but cannot cure the patient. The number of pre-conceived notions when people think of hospice are abundant. Hospice is often associated with a negative, dark, scary place. Unbeknownst to many, hospice care focuses on helping the patient die comfortably and with dignity. However, do not think that hospice care only benefits the patient. Hospice also includes “the family in the care plan and emotional, spiritual and practical support is given based on the patient’s wishes and family’s needs” (“The Hospice Concept”, n.d.).
Cost
Another misconception about hospice and palliative care is that it is too costly. However, this is not the case. According to Caring Connections, “The hospice benefit is comprehensive, which means that all services, medications, and equipment related to the person’s hospice diagnosis are paid by the hospice. This can save patients and families a tremendous amount of money in co-pays and direct expenses because the highest co-pay a hospice can charge under Medicare or Medicaid is $5” (Hospice Costs, n.d.).
Pain

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